#1 Sovereign Hill
Undoubtedly the pre-eminent tourist attraction in Ballarat, Sovereign Hill is an incredibly accurate re-creation of a gold rush town. Underground mine tours, real gold 'pours', panning for the elusive metal and real life artisans, craftsmen and business owners combine to provide a living, breathing 1850's gold fields experience.
Bradshaw Street, Golden Point
03) 5337 1100
www.sovereignhill.com.auOpen 7 days 10 AM to 5 PM (5.30 PM during Daylight Saving)
Main Street Sovereign Hill, Ballarat's premier tourist attraction
Just across the road from Sovereign Hill you'll find the Gold Museum. Part of the Sovereign Hill Museum Association, entry to Sovereign Hill includes entry to the Gold Museum.
Opened in 1978 the Gold Museum is home to a diverse range of collections covering all aspects of mining and social history on the Ballarat gold fields.
Bradshaw Street, Golden Point
03) 5337 1107
www.sovereignhill.com.aujOpen 7 days 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM (6 Pm During Daylight Savings) Except Xmas Day
A statue of former Premier Sir Henry Bolte keeps a watchful over Ballarat's Gold Museum
Development of Ballarat's Botanical Gardens dates back to 1858 when a decision was taken to convert the Ballarat Police Paddocks into a garden.
The Gardens are best known to many as home to the Ballarat Begonia Festival, a three day event in March each year during which these amazing blooms are showcased.
Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree
(03) 5320 5135
www.ballarat.com/botanicgardens
Open 7 Days
#4 Lydiard Street
This incredibly fine example of a 19th Century Colonial streetscape, steeped in history and impressive beyond belief, was named after Ballarat's first Police Magistrate, C.I.P. Lydiard.
It was an area earmarked for the town's early development in 1851 when, thanks to the riches generated by early gold strikes, cost was no barrier and grand & impressive architecture was the order of the day.
Lydiard Streets architectural treasures include the former Mining Exchange
Today this former site of the gold escort barracks and stables boasts 34 buildings of great historic and architectural significance including the former Ballarat Gaol, the School of Mines and the Heritage Listed Her Majesties Theatre where the great Dame Nellie Melba once performed.
There have been three George Hotels on this site in historic Lydiard Street, the first dating back to Ballarat's earliest days
Ballarat's first trams were 6 horse-drawn double-decker vehicles capable of carrying 44 seated passengers and introduced in December 1887.
Today the Ballarat Tramway Museum operates on 1.3 Kms of restored track within the Botanical Gardens on Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and during Victorian school holidays.
The tramcar fleet, including one of the original horse-drawn carriages is on display at the museum workshops.
Wendouree Parade, Wendouree
(03) 5334 1580
www.btm.org.au
#6 Art Gallery of Ballarat
Ballarat's Art Gallery holds a unique place in Australian and British history. The oldest regional gallery in Australia, it was established in 1884, it was also the first gallery to be built outside a Capital city anywhere in the British Empire.
The Art Gallery of Ballarat is home to a collection extending from the colonial convict era to the present day and hosts a range of events including concerts and art work-shops.
40 Lydiard St North, Ballarat
(03) 5320 5858
www.artgalleryofballarat.com.au
Open Daily (Except Xmas Day & Boxing Day) 10 AM to 5 PM
Classic colonial architecture is to be found everywhere in Ballarat's city centre
Just 5 minutes from Sovereign Hill the Ballarat Wildlife Park is the result of one man's life ambition.
Greg Parker moved to Ballarat in 1985 after many years involved with zoos. He acquired 13 Hectares of land at Ballarat East and set about establishing his unique collection of native animals and more than 200 reptiles.
Cnr of York & Fussell Streets, Ballarat East
(03) 5333 5933
www.wildlifepark.com.au
Open 7 days (Except Xmas Day) 9 Am to 5.30 PM.
#8 Kryal Castle
The original Kryal Castle was the boyhood dream of its creator Keith Ryall.
Taken over by new owners in January 2012 the castle was closed for extensive renovations and upgrades before reopening in March 2013.
The new Kryal Castles attractions are numerous and include jousting tournaments, the Wizards Workroom, a torture dungeon & museum and Fairies & Goblins Wonderland.
Forbes Road, Leigh Creek (Ballarat)
(03) 5334 7388
www.kryalcastle.com.au
Kryal Castle is home to a host of medieval fun & games
No, that's not a typo – BALLAARAT is the local aboriginal pronunciation for the area that is now Ballarat.
The old cemetery occupies 7 Hectares just 1.5 Kms from the City centre and is the resting place of some of the districts very early settlers. The first official burial took place here on 20th May 1856 although there are records which show burials being conducted in the immediate area during the 1840's . Officially 35,000 people have been interred here.
Two Eureka memorials and a Gate House which is an absolute treasure trove of historical information make this a great place to visit.
1250 Doveton Street North, Ballarat
(03) 6332 1469
www.ballaratcemetaries.com.au
Open Daily 8 Am to 5 PM
#10 Her Majesties Theatre
Her Majesties Theatre is one of the jewels in the crown that is Lydiard Street.
Financed by Ballarat's Clarke family and opened on 7th June 1875 Her Majesties is arguably the best preserved colonial theatre building in Australia and one of very few to be in continuous use since opening.
Originally known as the Academy of Music the theatre was built to replace the very grand but outdated Theatre Royal which had stood in Sturt Street since 1858.
Her Majesties has a wonderful history leading up to its gifting to the City of Ballarat in 1987. Major renovations were undertaken and the theatre reopened as Her Majesties on 1st November 1990.
17 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat
(03) 5333 5800
www.hermaj.com
